Haikyu!! isn’t just a sports anime—it’s a story of passion, growth, and the thrill of striving against the odds. Known for its energetic matches, character-driven arcs, and underdog themes, it captures the emotional highs and lows of competition while subverting typical shōnen power systems with teamwork-based victories.
While Haikyu!! has earned global recognition, many equally compelling anime series fly under the radar. These 15 underrated picks echo its spirit through strong character development, clever storytelling, and narratives that push beyond the surface of “just sports.”
1. Run with the Wind (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 23
- Rating: 8.43 (MAL)
- Studio: Production I.G (Haikyu!!, Kuroko no Basket)
- Summary: A college student with a troubled past is invited to join an unconventional team training for the Hakone Ekiden marathon.
- Similarity: Like Haikyu!!, it emphasizes teamwork, mentorship, and character growth over raw talent, blending competition with introspection.
2. Battery (2016)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 11
- Rating: 6.48 (MAL)
- Studio: Zero-G
- Summary: A prodigious pitcher struggles with his arrogance and the fragile bonds between teammates in youth baseball.
- Similarity: Underdog conflicts, character flaws, and the emotional grind of team dynamics echo Haikyu!!’s interpersonal storytelling.
3. Giant Killing (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- Rating: 7.62 (MAL)
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Summary: A struggling soccer team hires an unorthodox coach to turn their fortunes around.
- Similarity: Underdog battles, strategic depth, and psychological elements mirror the tactical intensity seen in Haikyu!!.
4. Tsurune (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 13 (+ Movie)
- Rating: 7.50 (MAL)
- Studio: Kyoto Animation (Free!, A Silent Voice)
- Summary: A former archer returns to kyūdō after rediscovering his passion through friendship.
- Similarity: Quiet yet emotional, it shares Haikyu!!’s exploration of personal growth and team-driven motivation.
5. Chihayafuru (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 74 (3 seasons)
- Rating: 8.20 (MAL)
- Studio: Madhouse
- Summary: A girl falls in love with competitive karuta, striving to become queen of the game alongside her childhood friends.
- Similarity: Blends fast-paced matches with deeply emotional character arcs, mirroring Haikyu!!’s balance of tension and heart.
6. Ao Ashi (2022)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- Rating: 8.09 (MAL)
- Studio: Production I.G
- Summary: A raw but talented soccer player enters a prestigious academy, pushing himself against elite competition.
- Similarity: Like Haikyu!!, it captures the leap from local underdog to national stage with a focus on discipline and tactical realism.
7. Stars Align (2019)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- Rating: 7.50 (MAL)
- Studio: Eight Bit
- Summary: A struggling soft tennis club recruits a talented transfer student to rebuild its reputation.
- Similarity: Both series mix sports with deep explorations of personal struggles, showing how the game becomes an outlet for self-expression.
8. Cross Game (2009)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 50
- Rating: 8.45 (MAL)
- Studio: SynergySP
- Summary: A boy’s love for baseball intertwines with themes of love, loss, and family bonds.
- Similarity: Combines coming-of-age warmth with heartfelt sports drama, much like Haikyu!!’s emotional core.
9. Big Windup! (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 50 (2 seasons)
- Rating: 7.67 (MAL)
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Summary: A self-doubting pitcher finds confidence through team support while chasing baseball success.
- Similarity: Underdog perseverance and character-centered storytelling mirror Hinata’s journey in Haikyu!!.
10. Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- Rating: 7.91 (MAL)
- Studio: MAPPA (Banana Fish, Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Summary: An aging figure skater finds renewed purpose through mentorship and love.
- Similarity: Like Haikyu!!, it emphasizes personal reinvention, competition pressure, and emotional bonds between athletes.
11. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 11
- Rating: 8.62 (MAL)
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Summary: Two contrasting table tennis prodigies face rivals and self-discovery in a raw, stylized tale.
- Similarity: Subverts typical sports tropes like Haikyu!!, with a focus on psychology, rivalry, and growth.
12. Scorching Ping Pong Girls (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- Rating: 6.64 (MAL)
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Summary: A shy transfer student shines in the world of competitive table tennis.
- Similarity: Shares Haikyu!!’s theme of hidden talent emerging under the support of teammates.
13. Farewell, My Dear Cramer (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- Rating: 6.15 (MAL)
- Studio: LIDENFILMS
- Summary: High school girls chase their soccer dreams in a male-dominated sports environment.
- Similarity: Emphasizes underdog determination, strategy, and the joy of pursuing an unlikely dream.
14. Ahiru no Sora (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 50
- Rating: 7.26 (MAL)
- Studio: Diomedéa
- Summary: A short but determined boy joins a rough basketball club, sparking change within the team.
- Similarity: Reflects Haikyu!!’s core: small athlete, big heart, and a relentless climb against adversity.
15. Gurazeni (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24 (2 seasons)
- Rating: 7.08 (MAL)
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Summary: A relief pitcher navigates the professional baseball world where contracts and money shape the game.
- Similarity: Brings realism and grounded sports challenges, paralleling Haikyu!!’s strategic and human elements.
Why These Anime Work for Haikyu!! Fans
Each of these series offers more than just competitive action—they deliver heartfelt stories about growth, teamwork, and perseverance against the odds. Whether through underdog athletes, psychological depth, or unique storytelling approaches, these underrated titles channel the same intensity, humor, and emotional payoff that make Haikyu!! so beloved. For fans craving that familiar mix of passion and character-driven sports drama, these anime are the perfect next step.
